THE FIREBACK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 15

THE FIREBACK.

It is only when summer has caused the tires to be dispensed with that we notice how very uglyare the backs of many of our modern grates. Always smokily discoloured, very often cracked and broken away with the heat, they make us want to hide the empty grate with screen or flowers. The decorative iron fireback was the old-fashioned way of backing a grate, and a very charming way, too, for it provided an ornament when the grate was not in use, and did excellent service in reflecting tho heat when the fire was lighted. Sussex is the home of this wrought and east seventeenth century, and they are still producing the same kind of work, even in the authentic old designs, so it is little wonder that these delightful old firebacks are the fashion once more. In the South Kensington Museum may be seen a typical Sussex fireback, showing the founder with his tools. It is known as the "Richard Leonard." Exact modern replicas may be had of this fireback, and of several'others in the collection. The.wrought iron fire basket, with dogs, another relict of bygone days, is very ornamental, and also useful, as it is adapted to many modern requirements. As a mere ornament it is charming when standing in an old-fashioned grate from which the front bars have been slipped out, and luter on it can be filled with live coals and used in s, bedroom when required by standing it far Lack on, the hearth and opening the register wide,- so that the fumes may escape.